Method and device for the insertion of cans into carriers

Abstract

A method and apparatus for packaging cans or similar objects having beaded rims in combination with planar carriers of polymeric materials is described. The cans are arrayed into groups corresponding to rim-engagingopenings or formations on the carriers by a conveyor and the cans are then positioned, aligned and firmly held with respect to the formations by cores inserted into the interstices within the array. The cores are actuated by the position of the conveyor belt via rails at specific stations. While the cores are holding the cans in alignment with respect to the carrier, the cans are inserted into the carriers by conveyor-actuated rams so that the beads on said rims engage the formations on the carriers. The carriers may include the rim-engaging formations along opposite faces.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method of packaging a plurality of objects having a protuberant beaded-rim into a plurality of discrete planar carriers, each having an array of bead-engaging formations disposed on opposite sides of the plane of said carrier, each bead-engaging formation comprising a resilient socket adapted to engage the protuberant beaded-rim of said objects, said method comprising the steps of sequentially grouping the objects into two packaging groups arranged identially to said array of bead-engaging formations disposed on opposite sides of the plane of said carrier; positioning said packaging groups in an insert direction with said array of bead-engaging formations of one of said discrete carriers; aligning said objects in each of said packaging groups with respect to said bead-engaging formations by inserting lateral cores between the objects of each of said packaging groups; and individually displacing the objects in each of said groups in said insertion direction on each side of said carrier toward and into engagement of said protuberant beaded-rim with the respective bead-engaging disposed on opposite sides of the plane formation of said carrier while laterally buttressing and guiding said objects by said cores, whereby said objects on each side of said carrier are simultaneously engaged with the respective bead-engaging formations. 
     
     
       2. The method according to claim 1 wherein said displacement of said objects is by cam-actuated rams. 
     
     
       3. The method according to claim 1 wherein said lateral cores are disposed and positioned into the interstices between said objects to about two-thirds of the height of said objects. 
     
     
       4. The method according to claim 1 wherein said steps of sequential grouping, positioning, aligning and displacing are performed during synchronous movement of said objects and said carrier perpendicular to said insertion direction. 
     
     
       5. Packaging apparatus for mounting objects having protuberant beaded rims into carriers bearing rim-engaging formations comprising a resilient socket adapted to engage the protuberant beaded rim of said objects comprising conveyor means for grouping and moving the groups of said objects arrayed with respect to said carrier, a plurality of shaped lateral cores for aligning the rims of said objects with respect to said rim-engaging formations; alignment means for inserting said cores between said objects in array for aligning and holding said rims with respect to said rim-engaging formation; individual ram means for displacing said objects in the direction of said carriers, and means actuated by the position of said conveyor movements for moving said ram means to displace said aligned objects having protuberant beaded rims into the rim-engaging formations on said carrier. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said shaped cores are actuated by a cam-rail having an elevated plateau for inserting said cores at a station on said conveyor and said ram means are advanced in an insertion direction by a ram-follower actuated by a hump along said conveyor positioned at an interval along said elevated plateaus so that said engagement of said object having protuberant beaded ring with said rim-engaging formation occurs while said objects are laterally buttressed and supported. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said plateau rail actuates the insertion of said cores between said objects to a distance of substantially two-thirds the dimension of said objects in the displacement direction. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said displacement of said objects is in a vertical direction and said carrier is supported against said displacement by rigid support means. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said displacement is in a horizontal direction and said carrier is supported against displacement by a second series of conveyor means, positioning means, shaped lateral cores, alignment means and synchronous ram means. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said carrier is fitted with said rim-engaging formations on opposite sides thereof and said apparatus comprises two conveyors oppositely disposed with said carriers transported therebetween so that said objects are simultaneously inserted and engaged into both sides thereof after alignment by said cores.